Close to the border of
North Carolina and close to my heart is Grayson Highlands
State Park and the Mount Rogers High Country. This
popular hiking destination is fun to visit in any season.
The sweeping views from the balds , wild ponies and the plentiful
trails contribute to the reasons that so many visit this area.
The Park itself has all of the amenities that you may need
and is a great base camp for day hikes or backpacking trips.
Probably the greatest feature of the park, however, is its
proximity to the wide open balds of the surrounding National
Forests.

The Little Wilson
Creek Wilderness, Lewis Fork Wilderness, and the
Mount Rogers National Recreation area are adjacent to Grayson Highlands. Trails criss cross all of these areas giving
many choices for loop hikes to experienced hikers and confusing
the rest. The Virginia Highlands Horse Trail and the Appalachian
Trail are two of the more famous trails in this area. Camping.
isn't allowed outside of the campgrounds in the State Park however
the National Forest land is only a mile away so it is just a
short but steep hike to where you can camp anywhere.

Begin
this hike from Massie Gap, either from the overnight or day
parking lot. Hikers will usually catch their first glimpse
of wild ponies before they leave Grayson Highlands. The State
Park as well as the National
Forests are home to herds of these friendly animals. Once
a year The forest Service will round up the ponies, herd them
to an coral,check them for any health problems and to decide
which ones to auction.

The Rhododendron
Gap trail begins at Massie Gap, has blue blazes and is
very easy to follow. There are two trail heads for hikers,
one is at Massie Gap for day hikers and the other starts at
a separate parking lot for backpackers. As you start your
hike you will pass through a gate that was installed to keep
the ponies in the park. The trail is an old road that the
Park Rangers use occasionally to search for lost hikers, to
maintain the fences and to round up the ponies. There is a
short steep climb and in just a few short minutes you will
see your first view.

The Rhodadendron Gap trail
curves to the left and will intersect with the Appalachian Trail
shortly after completing your first climb. Continue straight
on the trail, don't turn on the AT. From here you will see steps
over the fence straight ahead on the Wilburn Ridge Trail. Take
these steps and begin your climb up that big pile of rocks called
Wilburn Ridge. After about a quarter of a mile you will find
yourself on top of the world with panoramic views. A 360 degree
view that's reminiscent Rocky Mountain views. In the Spring
the balds are covered with colorful wildflowers. It's so beautiful
you won't mind the other hikers that seem to be drawn to this
ridge.

After lingering
on this high point descend to a small, flat gap and climb
up the other rock pile that's part of the ridge. This climb
is steeper than the last and is also the highest point on
this ridge. The views here are the best on Wilburn Ridge.
Many visit this high point, some stay for a few minutes, some
for a few hours. There are two points on this high point that
will accomadate tents. Great views for sunset and sunrise.